Steilacoom's Gary Wusterbarth in the Spotlight

By Jennifer Callanan

Each month a staff member at Steilacoom High School is selected for the outstanding volunteer work. For the month of March, Mr. Wusterbarth was selected to be highlighted for Steilacoom High School Staff Spotlight. Mr. Wusterbarth is one of the teachers here at Steilacoom High School and is appreciated for all the work he has done for students.

Mr. Wusterbarth graduated from Washington High School. After graduating, he attended Pacific Lutheran University, and is now a teacher. He has been teaching for 30 years; for 25 of those years, Mr. Wusterbarth has taught at Steilacoom High School. During his years of teaching, Mr. Wusterbarth has taught every single subject except English. Currently at Steilacoom High School, Mr. Wusterbarth teaches Advanced Placement United States History, Advanced Placement European History, 10th grade United States History, and the APEX programs, which are online Advanced Placement classes.

Mr. Wusterbarth enjoys the schedule for teaching. He likes being done teaching at 3:00 p.m. and he likes having vacations. When he was younger, Mr. Wusterbarth applied himself in jobs that involved teaching. Teaching comes naturally to Mr. Wusterbarth and he very much enjoys it. He likes the fact that he is “educating the young people in the world.”

Although Mr. Wusterbarth is an amazing teacher at Steilacoom High School, he also is very involved with the activities that take place at Steilacoom High School. He is in many different committees such as: Spring Fever, Scholarships, Homecoming, and Student of the Month. His work in these committees helps the leadership class, ASB, and other students put on events for Steilacoom High School. Along with the committees, Mr. Wusterbarth is also Steilacoom High School’s boys’ basketball coach. He has spent 25 years at the high school coaching the Sentinels. For the 2010 season, Mr. Wusterbarth took the boys’ basketball team to the state tournament at the Sun Dome in Yakima, Washington. The team made it into the top 16 at the tournament. Other volunteer work Mr. Wusterbarth has done in the community includes Land Commissioner for Pierce County for 8 years, and helping with various agencies.

On his free time, Mr. Wusterbarth enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters, and playing tennis. Mr. Wusterbarth has been a professional tennis official for 17 years. He has been the official for tennis matches all over the world in matches such as the US Open, Davis Cups, and many more.

Students at Steilacoom High School appreciate all of the work Mr. Wusterbarth does at Steilacoom High School. “He is by far the best teacher at our school. Everyday in his class, the students learn something new and,” claims Britny Walker, a student at Steilacoom High School. Olivia Rudisill says, “He truly loves every student at Steilacoom.” Mr. Wusterbarth has contributed a lot to the school. Thank you Mr. Wusterbarth for all of the work you have done here at Steilacoom High School!!

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